New technologies for radionuclide measurement

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The global goal of this project is to develop, test and demonstrate the applications of new mass spectrometric methods of measuring radionuclides. This project addresses the NSERC priority #1 on Environmental Science and Technologies. Our research seeks to develop novel methods to measure radionuclides released into fresh water by nuclear activities. Under NSERC Priority #1 we are addressing water issues and our work will help to ensure secure community water systems. In this project novel mass spectrometric techniques will be developed using cloud point extraction techniques coupled to an inductively coupled mass spectrometer equipped with a triple quadrapole and reaction chamber. This approach will provide rapid and economic measures of radionuclides that are important in water quality assessment and environmental protection. Once the new methods are developed, we will test them using samples provided by our industrial and governmental partners. We will use Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) as the gold standard for these tests because it has been proven to measure ultra-trace concentrations of radionuclides in complex environmental samples with very low backgrounds. We also will work closely with our partners to ensure that the methods are suitable for routine industrial lab environments. The benefits to industry and government will be the ability to undertake more cost effective and complete monitoring and measurement of radionuclide release to the aquatic environment. Canadian consulting companies will benefit from these state of the art techniques that they can use as they provide consulting services to their client companies in this important energy sector. We will also work to patent and sell the new separation and analysis technologies.